The purpose of the common organisation of the market in dried fodder is to stabilise prices by introducing aid schemes and laying down detailed rules for trade with non-member countries. It will remain in force until 31 March 2008.

ACT

Council Regulation (EC) No 1786/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in dried fodder [See amending acts].

The products concerned are meal, pellets and other presentations of lucerne, sainfoin, clover, lupins, vetches and other similar artificially heat-dried fodder products; lucerne, sainfoin, clover and certain other sun-dried and ground pulses; protein concentrates obtained from lucerne juice and grass juice and dehydrated products derived from concentrates.

The marketing year starts on 1 April each year and ends on 31 March of the following year.

Aid scheme

The aid amounts to €33 per tonne and is granted for processed fodder, provided that its maximum moisture content is between 11% and 14% and its crude protein content in dry matter is not less than 15% or 45%, depending on the product concerned.

For each marketing year, the maximum guaranteed quantity (MGQ) is set at 4 960 723 tonnes of dehydrated or sun-dried fodder. Where the quantity of dried fodder produced in the Community exceeds the MGQ during a marketing year, the amount of aid is reduced in those Member States whose production has exceeded their guaranteed national quantity (GNQ). This is done in order to remain within the limits of the planned budget.

Processing undertakings that have applied for aid and whose entitlement has been recognised may receive an advance of €19.80 per tonne, or €26.40 per tonne if they have lodged a security of €6.60 per tonne. The advance may be paid before entitlement to aid has been established if a security equal to the amount of the aid plus 10% is lodged.

Member States must make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the processing undertakings comply with the Community provisions on dried fodder.

By 31 May of each year, Member States are to notify the Commission of the quantities of dried fodder that were eligible for aid in the previous marketing year.

Trade with non-member countries

The rates of duty in the common customs tariff apply to dried fodder products.

When trading with third countries, it is forbidden to impose charges having equivalent effect to customs duties or to apply quantitative import restrictions or measures having similar effect.

Safeguard measures can be taken if the Community market is likely to undergo disturbances due to imports or exports.

Other provisions

Except where the Regulation provides otherwise, the rules on state aid as laid down in the Treaty are applicable to dried fodder.

Member States are to notify the Commission of the measures taken to implement the Regulation.

The Commission is assisted in implementing the Regulation by the Management Committee for Cereals (FR)

By 30 September 2008, the Commission must present the Council with a report on the dried fodder sector, drawn up on the basis of an evaluation study and dealing, in particular, with the development of areas of leguminous and other green fodder, the production of dried fodder and the savings of fossil fuels achieved. If necessary, the report is to be accompanied by appropriate proposals.

Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 1786/2003 have been incorporated into the basic text. The consolidated version (pdf) is for reference purposes only.

RELATED ACTS

Commission Regulation (EC) No 382/2005 of 7 March 2005 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1786/2003 on the common organisation of the market in dried fodder [Official Journal L 61 of 8 March 2005].

This Regulation sets out the eligibility criteria for aid, the duties of processing undertakings and purchasers, the procedures for carrying out checks and the specifications for contracts, delivery declarations, aid applications and payments.